I had a lousy, degraded, multi-gen tape of the incredible second set from this show. I don't do cassettes anymore, and threw out or gave away most of mine since the Archive is available. I already knew the 2nd set was great, now I'm finding out how good the 1st set was as well (though short).

To the person who couldn't pick between this show and Blossom 6/29 -- it's this one, no question. I was at Blossom and didn't think it was that great. Superb at points, and at others, it fell way short, (Touch instead of Fire, Women into Drums, and the show-death ending of Peter>Around>JBG, U.S. Blahs encore). Probably not even top 20 for the year.

This one, though? They brought the goods the whole show. Probably the best of 84. BTW, notice the Playin' tease just before Estimated.

I was that every show this year of 1984 and had recordings of all with a D5 and two km84s. I think its time yall get a listen. Me and Irv did all the work. Miss you bro

over the 6/26, seemed everyone was all there.
Highlights: Let It Grow, Help On The Way, Slipknot!, Morning Dew, Not Fade Away, Brokedown Palace

I understand that many of us tend to have a certain affection for shows we may have attended, but sometimes that affection is entirely justified, as my 30+ years of listening to my quality audience tape of this show confirms!
This was a perfect summer evening in the hoity-toity DC suburb of Columbia, in a venue known for great acoustics, and the snobbery shown by locals as we camped out across the street from their front yards. This was the first time I'd done more than half a dozen GD shows in a single year (you'll remember there was a dearth of Dead shows near my home base of Atlanta in the late '70's/early '80's, so a lot of road work was involved), and only my 6th year of closely following the band.
The first set is the kind of rocking out GD first set that makes you hope the group still has enough energy left for the second set. It used to be said that if Jack Straw was the opener then it was all downhill from there...couldn't be more wrong this time around-FOTD, Cumberland, Let it Grow and the rest all smoke high voltage!
The second set absolutely melts, and is one seamless, uninterrupted flow of music with Help>Slip>Franks being one of my favorite ever versions. The Estimated>Eyes is hugely energetic, with Bobby absolutely screaming his portion, and Jerry and the band settling into something nearly resembling a mid-seventies Eyes. Do it in the Road is just silly, goofy fun (remember when the band could/would do stuff like that sometimes?). Drums/Space doesn't miss a beat and leads into a dynamically Monstrous soaring and falling Morning Dew. As it comes to its final crescendo, Bobby quickens the beat with a very fast, not-yet-sick-of-hearing-it Throwing Stones. As the final chord rings out before NFA, my tape cuts. So I've missed that and Brokedown for the past 30 years until now. Still one of my very favorite tapes, from one of my very favorite shows, even if I was there.

I had the good fortune of attending this show with my good friends Steve and Kathy, and am amazed that some folks are not on board with it. The show crackled with energy and has remained one of my favorites for these 30 years now. Too bad there are "deadheads" that feel a need to compare it to shows 10 years earlier and demean it with adolescent comments. Obviously non musicians there. The show was captivating, exhilirating, transcendental, AWESOME. Out of the many many shows I attended from 1979 through 1995 definitely one of my favorite memories, not because of ANYTHING except the quality of their music this night. The Jack Straw was very good, as were others in the first set, but the second set is why we went to so many shows back then...to catch one like this. The mix was awesome there, and the mix presented here represents that night well. Help>Slipknot>Franklins had the whole place dancing in unison, there was electricity in the air that night everyone present was feeding off of...Estimated>Eyes>Do It in the Road was the lift off jam into an incredible Space that took us to another dimension, and then there's the Morning Dew. Sigh. Goosebumps are flowing up and down my arms as I type. The sweetness and sincerity of the song as played that night was unparalleled in my touring career. Jerry's riffs rolled out like a magical lyre from heaven, and the band fed off of his energy for sure, Brent's Hammond at the ascending progression at the end of the song during Jerry's final solo put me over the top. The FINEST Morning Dew I ever witnessed. I don't care if Jerry himself materializes back onto the planet's surface and puts down this show, it was truly epic for all who witnessed it first hand. Thanks to Charlie Miller for this mix, but I still kinda like Stevie's crowd recording with his awesome Sennheiser 441 mics and Sony D5 deck. LIZZID!

this show kicks some major ass. besides the monster 2nd set you throw in a killer Cumberland, a decent Loser and a pretty smoking Let It Grow in the first. what can you say about the 2nd especially pre-Drums? almost a fantasy setlist and all played well and tight.then you gotta throw in the Dew well played but I kinda think I've heard better. gotta give it a 5 for it's era a solid 4 though overall.

YESI generally *LOATHE* the mid 80's. Early 80 to 1989? A++! This "drek"? ONLY because Mr. Flashback decided to come out of retirement. Follow this man's lead... he has (had) a better EAR than DICK! I've listened to ONLY the DEW... You all need to DO the DEW! :) I have decided to rate this show based on this ONE song- the rest of the show could be CRUD... I haven't listened to it all yet. But the dew? Do the DEW! :) Mr. Flashback??!? Contact me PLEASE mightythefoxREMOVETHISFORSPAM!!AT:hotmailDOTcom.

Mr. Flashback...excuse me... DR! DR!... help me I need some help. Love your reviews. I want your top 10 to top 50 like a nympho needs... ah you already know. :> Be kind to an "old" head... email me, puh-lease? TO ALL OTHERS: I have ONLY reviewed the DEW- the rest of the show could be caaaa-rrr--aaap! but!!! based on the "Dew"? Do the DEW!!! 5 stars for that song ONLY.,. not the show!!! Dr. Flashback, I need a house-call. You've been "gone" so long... email me, PUH-LEASE! thank you, come again, drive through!!! :D 5 stars- for DEW only!!! I will Re-Visit this show when I hear it all.. but for now?!? Download/listen to this based on M.Dew alone. Go from there, *like me* and see where it gets'ya! Peace, love, and ALWAYS respect!!! :D :) :) :D :)

.·-=g.ƒ☼X.

Sure this sounds fantastic, and Merriweather was a great venue to see a show. But it's still 1984, and compared to even "run of the mill" shows from 1981, this falls short ...

I watched the set one video and the phil bombs abound. Just had to search out the rest of this corker.

The boys are really having fun up there and Merriweather was always a great play to see a show.

The quality of the recording is excuisite. As well as the music being played. tight interplay and jerry and phil were locked into eachother jamming at every corner.

Excellent Jack Straw
Let it grow is phenomenal
Help slip frank is tight as they come

tops of the list when I think of 84

check out
4-26-84 matrix

Love the archive. Though I know that many say that reviewers should stick to critiquing the music, I must admit that I enjoy many of the stories as well. I searched for this show because I was just watching a video (set 1 only) of this show and was curious what others had to say.

Mind you, I thought that the set was really good. What I have always found amusing, yet not surprising, is that all to often reviews are very biased when the reviewer went to the show and remembers having a great time. That being said, I did not see this show (my first show wasn't until 3/29/85) so I feel that I was being rather objective. During Jack Straw it is quite clear that the boys are really enjoying themselves and there is plenty of energy. Bobby and Phil are goofing off during the jam. Bobby is doing pseudo-windmills and I am not sure how to describe what Phil was doing. The point is, is that they're having alot of fun. Jerry, on the other hand, is playing really well, but as expected, is at his usual post and not participating in the antics with the others. Take a look at the video.

http://www.mogulus.com/davidaron

If you work your way through the "On-Demand" menu, you'll find the first set. The quality of the video is rather poor, but it will give you a feel for what was going on at the show.

So, when I searched out this show on the archive and saw Dr. Flashback had been here, I figured I was on to something. The Dr. always seems to be right on with his comments and displays valuable insight with his reviews. I think that simply listening to a show sometimes has it's limitations and doesn't always capture the whole experience. (Not an earth shattering thought, I know...) All in all, this is a really good show and the sound quality is Grade A. Too bad we all couldn't enjoy videos of all these shows.

Anyone know of any other good sites to find more videos of the band beyond description?

what the hell? When did the dead turn into a Disney movie on drugs? Oh wait, I like disney on drugs.

I haven't spent much time listening to 84', but I have to differ with Mr Flashback(who i ussually agree with). This show makes me sad. There is no heart in this playin and the hard rock is missing. Even throwing stones felt out of gas and punch. FOTD was terrible. Prophet sucked... listen to the opener, go to cumberland, skip to franklins and end with Dew & BP. Then take a couple steps back-> to 71'

Peace

Question - if Charlie Miller sees fit to bother to remaster these 1984 shows, shouldn't you be checking out 1984? It takes a real deadicated listener to find the golden gems among the proverbial chaff of the "less than consistently great" year 1984.

It's interesting to compare this show with those of a decade before (6/26 & 6/28/1974) which make up Dick's Picks #12. Although this can't quite match the energy of the summer of 1974, nor the extended jams, you'll have to honestly admit that this show holds its own in perspective.

I have gone back and forth in choosing either 6/27 or 6/29 at Blossom for my top ten. I think Blossom is equally a good show in many ways, and it would be pretty much a toss up for me, if it were not for the song list on 6/27.

A solid Jack Straw bolts out of the gate, which is usually a good sign that the band is ready to tackle complex songs tonight, both musically and lyrically. A mood-setting FOTD follows, with just the right amount of reverb on the vocal to give the song the proper pathos and mystery. Notice that the first set is without any annoying cover tunes or bad Brent songs. Except for Rooster, these are all original tunes. A good thing.
Listen to Brent's fine organ work on Loser, as well as the Jerry/Brent vocals. Jerry's voice delivers the goods tonight, his habit non-withstanding. Let it Grow is well executed with all the little fills and accent colors in full flourish. Bobby remembers the words, and Jerry is just flying on the blistering leads.

Set Two is really what makes this a top ten for me. One of the best Help>Slip's of the year, hands down. Energetic and tight, they don't drop a note anywhere. Brent's piano work here can compare admirably to any of Keith's Help>Slip from 1977.
Slipknot is basically an 8 minute platform for Jerry to just soar and roar. And he does, crisply and melty at the same time (does that make sense?)

Then beginning with Franklin's, Estimated>Eyes we are treated to over 30 minutes combined jamming that must have been pure bliss to those in attendance. Eyes contains some excellent complex rhythmic jams and a warm, clean guitar sound from Jerry that harkens back to 1972. One of the best pre-Drums segments of the year, truly inspired.

Do it in the Road is, well, forgivable. Jerry needed a smoke. But wait, there's more. After a newly spliced Space (thanks, Charlie !!!) A Space that's not too long, not too weird. Just right.
And the band's inspiration is not yet spent. A mythical Morning Dew emerges out of Space, and proves why songs like Loser and Dew were always waiting for Brent to come along with his B3 and give these songs the soul and hair-raising whirling chords they demand to fully be realized.
An 11+ minute version that will have you crying, singing and faceless before it's done. Even critics of Persian Jerry must bow in respect of this Dew. Not to mention a few choice Phil bombs here and there.
The rest of the set is gravy, a decent Stones follows, and it's great to hear a NFA from 1984 that proves they could still rock out this old chestnut. Brent and Jerry are showering sparks, and Phil is in "whale at the bottom of the ocean" mode throughout - so watch your speakers folks! Finally, a 1984 Brokedown is sweet icing on a melted cake that leaves you wanting nothing more.

It's great to hear this Miller remaster of what was already a nice sounding SBD. I can't think of a better representative show from 1984 than this one. Are you experienced?

enjoy,
Dr. Flashback :-)